Home › Kansas › Topeka

Topeka, Kansas

Located in Shawnee County, Kansas, Topeka was established in 1854. Brown v. Board of Education, one of the most important Supreme Court cases ever, originated in Topeka. Topeka was founded by abolitionists during 'Bleeding Kansas.'.
Trending in Topeka
Latest updates coming soon
2 hours ago
More local news on the way
5 hours ago
Founded 1854 | Population 126,000 | Peak 126,000 (2024) | County Shawnee County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Topeka, Kansas

undefined
1854 Founded by Abolitionists: Free-State settlers found Topeka during Bleeding Kansas.
undefined
1861 State Capital: Kansas enters Union as free state; Topeka is capital.
undefined
1954 Brown v. Board of Education: Supreme Court case originating from Topeka ends school segregation. Landmark civil rights victory.
undefined
1966 Tornado Devastates City: F5 tornado kills 16 and damages 800 homes.
undefined
1999 Brown v Board Historic Site: Monroe Elementary designated National Historic Site.
🧠
How Well Do You Know Topeka?
5 questions • 2 minutes
Take the Quiz →

Latest News in Topeka

Apr 20, 2026
Dead or Missing Scientists Pose “National Security Threat,” Top House Republican Warns as Oversight Committee Launches Probe
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has declared a series of deaths and disappearances involving at least 11 Am…
Apr 16, 2026
White House Signals Review of Mysterious Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists in Sensitive Fields
The Trump administration has indicated it will examine a cluster of unexplained deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 Am…
May 15, 2016
Arkansas Police Department Slaps God We Trust Decals Vehicles
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 15, 2016) — In a move that stirred up debate across the state, the Arkansas State Police decided to affix…
May 11, 2016
Walmart Employee Turns Lost 350 he Found Parking Lot Pays Price
BENTONVILLE, Arkansas — On a routine shift in May 2016, a Walmart employee made a choice that seemed straightforward at the time…
Apr 12, 2016
Huckabee Obama Lost Battle Against Radical Islam
Washington, D.C. – On April 12, 2016, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee didn’t mince words when he took aim at Pr…
Mar 18, 2016
Woman Left Stunned how Walmart Handled her Special Request Photo
Bentonville, Arkansas — Back in March 2016, a routine shopping trip turned into a viral tale of frustration for one customer who…

Complete Historical Timeline

1854 Politics
Founded by Abolitionists
1861 Government
State Capital
1954 Civil Rights
Brown v. Board of Education
1966 Disaster
Tornado Devastates City
1999 Civil Rights
Brown v Board Historic Site

Did You Know?

1
Brown v. Board of Education, one of the most important Supreme Court cases ever, originated in Topeka.
2
Topeka was founded by abolitionists during 'Bleeding Kansas.'.
3
Monroe Elementary, where the Brown case originated, is now a National Historic Site.
4
Topeka is located in Shawnee County, Kansas.
5
Topeka was founded in 1854.

Famous People from Topeka, Kansas

AB
Annette Bening
Actor, Stage Actor · Born May 29, 1958 · Age 67
CC
Charles Curtis
Lawyer, Politician · Born Jan 25, 1860 · Died Feb 8, 1936 (age 76)
GB
Gwendolyn Brooks
Writer, Teacher · Born Jun 7, 1917 · Died Dec 3, 2000 (age 83)
GB
Gregg Binkley
Actor, Television Actor · Born Mar 20, 1963 · Age 62
PR
Pat Roberts
Politician, Military Officer · Born Apr 20, 1936 · Age 89

Other Cities in Kansas

View all Kansas cities →
W
Wichita
Pop. 397,532
OP
Overland Park
Pop. 205,413
KC
Kansas City
Pop. 156,977
O
Olathe
Pop. 152,772
L
Lawrence
Pop. 100,000
S
Shawnee
Pop. 70,000
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep Topeka's history right.